Tuesday 17th January 2012

Hot Hyundais on the way to the UK

But it's a softly-softly approach, says Korean manufacturer

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Veloster Turbo will get UK-specific tuning...

Hyundai is planning a hotter version of the next-generation i30, which could use the new 1.6-litre direct injection twin-scroll turbo engine from the Veloster Turbo - but it will not be a standalone performance sub-brand.

Hyundai UK MD Tony Whitehorn said that a performance version of the new i30 is "more than likely". Discussions are underway now and it is a model the firm is "more than interested in.

"A sporting model is a halo car everyone would like."

...as will the new i30

The new model would, however, be a Sport-style variant, rather than a full Golf GTI-style sub-brand. Hyundai has not previously offered a hot hatch model and it is believed the brand needs time to gain recognition in the performance car sector before it launches a dedicated performance range.

Currently, the Veloster model is being used to help richen Hyundai's brand image. Indeed, the UK is the only European brand to show the Veloster TV commercial currently being aired, a decision that was not taken lightly.

"It is very expensive to run TV ads but we felt it was great exposure. We're not just selling the car, but selling the brand.

"Internally, we call it the Escort XR3i effect. The XR3i gave credibility to the whole Escort range and made the line-up more exciting - we want the Veloster to do the same for Hyundai."

Whitehorn also revealed that the Veloster Turbo unveiled in the US does not represent the final European specification of the performance three-door coupe. When launched at the Detroit motor show, Hyundai quoted peak power as 201hp and peak torque as 196lb. ft.

It seems likely European Veloster Turbo will have a reduced power output, but with a higher torque figure and flatter torque curve. This is to reflect Europe's curvier and more challenging roads, where transient response is preferable to higher-rev power.

"Hyundai Motor Corporation always engineers for bespoke markets. It does not do one car for the whole world, but will optimise models for individual markets." It is likely the Hyundai i30 Sport will use this tune of engine too.

[will261058]

Mm not bad these Korean designs are deffo getting better looking

[madmover]

They defiantly are making an improvement on the design front but personally not for me...

[NadiR]

Wow. The Koreans have really upped their game in the last 10 years, the Coupe was their first good car and they just expanded.

[LukeSi]

Genesis please Hyundai.

[will261058]

madmover said:

They defiantly are making an improvement on the design front but personally not for me...

Agreed, not for me either but when you think back to what came out of there not so long ago its a big improvement!

[soad]

Veloster looks alright, quite decent in fact.

[hornetrider]

LukeSi said:

Genesis please Hyundai.

Yup. Genesis or gtfo.

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis-coupe/

[arkenphel]

I don't think there is any other country with an emerging or up-and-coming motor company that has taken as great the strides Kia and Hyundai have in recent years. Come to think of it, I don't think there has been any other brand that has had such a transformation. Lotus obviously doesn't count. It remains to be seen whether is can deliver the goods.

[LukeSi]

hornetrider said:

Yup. Genesis or gtfo.

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis-coupe/

Even the bloody base model has a sodding Evo Engine.

And the top spec model fully loaded works out at only £21,000(ish). Bloody bargin.

Edited by LukeSi on Tuesday 17th January 01:24

[Prawnboy]

"the UK is the only European brand to show the Veloster TV commercial currently being aired, a decision that was not taken lightly."

my country is a brand!

seriosly though that velestor is a great looking car.

[Camry_Man]

Their top of the range car also has 5.0 V8 with 429hp!

[sat1983]

Being a lifelong badge snob, and having owned quite a few german motors, I recently decided to give Hyundai a go.
I'm genuinely surprised at how good the koreans have progressed- bought a coupe recently and love it.
If most people forgot the badge, they'd be very impressed with how good Hyundai is.
Big thumbs up!

[Dimski]

LukeSi said:

hornetrider said:

Yup. Genesis or gtfo.

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/genesis-coupe/

Even the bloody base model has a sodding Evo Engine.

And the top spec model fully loaded works out at only £21,000(ish). Bloody bargin.

Yes. I'm not interested in an i30 Sport.

Give us the good stuff!

[BertB]

LukeSi said:

Genesis please Hyundai.

+1
Indeed.

[cabbron]

from the erm "pony" and "stellar" to "genesis" is indeed quite a step. i bought a 6 year old tincan tow slag 2 years ago and its never missed a beat,unlike my previous brit and german premium brand premium priced offerings.

[jbi]

BertB said:

LukeSi said:

Genesis please Hyundai.

+1
Indeed.

agreed... this does not interest me... the Genesis Coupe does.

[Chicane-UK]

LukeSi said:

Even the bloody base model has a sodding Evo Engine.

And the top spec model fully loaded works out at only £21,000(ish). Bloody bargin.

Edited by LukeSi on Tuesday 17th January 01:24

No point in getting excited - there's no way, even if it came to this country, it'd cost anything like that...

[johnnybegood]

the v8 car looks good and really high spec and the engine seems spectacular.

If they get their branding right over the next few years they could become the new lexus,

[RyanOakley]

Is this the same car as what i see in the adverts with 1 door on one side of the car and 2 doors on the other side... Freaks me out every time i watch it

[sat1983]

Does look good!